Friday, May 30, 2014

Super7 is teaming up once again with Acme Archives Direct to produce a new officially licensed Star Wars screen print! Perfect for a galactic butcher shop far, far away, the “Tauntaun Cuts” screen print highlights the choicest cuts of meat inside the furry snow-romping creature which, though they smell bad on the outside, are delicious on the inside.

“Tauntaun Cuts” by Super7 and Acme Archives is a 16”x20” Star Was hand numbered screen print on heavy archival stock with white, black and grey with metallic silver flake inks. Limited to just 200 pieces, “Tauntaun Cuts” goes on sale at noon PDT on Sunday, June 1st, at the Super7 online store for $50 each.

Deth P Sun originally painted the “Secret Histories Map of San Francisco” for the San Francisco Arts Commission for an exhibition that ran in the summer of 2009. There’s actually a really interesting explanation behind the map, which you can read here. This is by far one of the most detailed paintings I’ve seen Deth create, and I love all the history behind it! Last week The People’s Printshop released a very nice 24”x24” fine art giclee of “Secret Histories Map of San Francisco”, which you can now buy via The People's Printshop's online store! Limited to just 100 pieces, this signed and numbered print retails for just $49.95. Pick one up while you still can!

How in the world was there a ToyCon UK Exclusive Pocket Rose Vampire released months ago and The Blot not know it!?! The internet has failed me! Sold exclusively by The Hang Gang, this adorable little critter was designed by Josh Herbolsheimer and produced by Super7. It was cast in yellow and brown soft Japanese vinyl, with gold, brown and red sprays. While I need this figure, I’m a little scared of the international shipping to get from the UK. Wish me luck!

Box Brown is currently crisscrossing the country promoting his newest graphic novel, Andre the Giant: Life and Legend. While, The Blot hasn’t read it yet, I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy! Everything I’ve seen and read so far sounds seriously awesome. For Brown’s book release and signing at Austin Books & Comics, Guzu Gallery produced these beautiful Andre the Giant screen prints based on the graphic novel’s cover artwork. Looks fantastic, right!?! This screen print (and the book itself) is without a doubt a must get for all the old school WWE fans out there!

“Andre the Giant” by Box Brown is an 18”x24” signed and numbered screen print. Limited to just 55 pieces, this homage to “The Eighth Wonder of the World” can be purchased now from the Guzu Gallery online store for $30 each.

Thursday, May 29, 2014

The Blot was more than a little surprised to learn DC Collectibles had already solicited a second wave of their epic new Batman: The Animated Series 6” action figures before the first wave had even been released! This is great news for long time fans of B:TAS. Released as part of DC Comics’ celebration of Batman’s 75th Anniversary, the Batman: The Animated Series action figure line is based on Bruce Timm’s original character designs from Batman: The Animated Series and the New Batman Adventures. Each figure is based on Mattel’s original 4.5” tall with limited articulation figures, and been enlarged to a whopping 6” scale. What’s really great about this new toy line is each B:TAS has been given 24 points of articulation.

Batman: The Animated Series Wave 2 includes The Joker, Robin, Man-Bat and Poison Ivy! Each figure comes with multiple accessories and is packaged in a full color blister card. The Blot especially loves what they did with Robin's cape! I've never seen this look on an action figure before. While these awesome 6” figures aren’t scheduled to hit store shelves until early 2015, you can pre-order all four figures from Entertainment Earth for just $22.99 each here.

Tonight at the Kidrobot x Jermaine Rogers “My Brother Was A Hero” vinyl figure release party at Houston's Insomnia (find out more about the party here), everyone who purchases the new figure will also receive the limited edition Gold Variant “My Brother Was A Hero” screen print which the toy is based on (while supplies last). This 22”x19” print looks fantastic, and The Blot is hoping to score one tonight at the release party.

I also can’t wait to get my hands on the Brown Edition “My Brother Was A Hero” vinyl figure. The figure and print make for a pretty sweet set don’t you think!?! Jermaine and I look forward to seeing you all at Insomnia Video Game Culture tonight, Thursday, May 29th, between 7-9pm CDT for this very special signing!

Good things really do come to those who wait! It’s amazing to think The Blot first saw kaNO’s epic Pee-Wee custom vinyl figure at Designer Con 2012, and now they’re finally available for purchase. Inspired by Pee-Wee Herman, these custom figures are hand painted mash-ups featuring a 5” Mad*l’s body with a Kidrobot Mascot’s head. It’s the perfect dedication to one of kaNO’s favorite movies.

The Pee-Wee custom figure stands at 5.5" tall, comes signed and numbered by kaNO, and is limited to 20 pieces. Pick one up today from kaNO’s online store for $300 each.

Sadly, The Matrix doesn’t get near the love it should as the revolutionary film it is because of its terrible sequels. But the film is still wonderfully awesome. The Blot’s especially glad to see Mondo commission Kevin Tong to design a movie poster for The Matrix! His style is suited perfectly for this futuristic masterpiece.

“The Matrix” by Kevin Tong is a 24"x36" hand numbered screen print. The Standard Edition has a limited edition run size of 275 pieces and will retail for $45, while the Variant has a limited edition run size of 150 pieces and will retail for $65. Both go on sale at a random time today, Thursday, May 29th, at the Mondo online store.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Mattel’s fourth Masters of the Universe Minis 2 pack has been announced, and it includes the evil ghastly ghost Scareglow, the flying monkey man hero Stratos, and a piece needed to build a mini Castle Grayskull with working Jaw Bridge. This is the third of six MOTU Minis 2 packs released exclusively at MattyCollector.com, with each set featuring a different piece of the mini Castle Grayskull.

Each 2” Masters of the Universe mini figure features six points of articulation (head, shoulders, wrists and waist) and comes with two accessories, Scareglow comes with his signature scythe of doom and tattered purple cape, while Stratos comes with his jet pack and staff of Avion. He-Man fans can purchase this MOTU Minis set at 9am PDT on June 16th, at the MattyCollector online store for $20.

Just in time for Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy movie, comes this awesome Previews Exclusive Rocket Raccoon Snapback Hat by New Era! With neon orange writing and a sketched picture on the front of Rocket Raccoon with guns blazing, this Guardians of the Galaxy New Era cap has a unique style and pop that grabs attention, just like Rocket.

The Previews Exclusive “Rocket Raccoon” Guardians of the Galaxy Snapback Hat by New Era will be hitting comic book stores and specialty shops in late June 2014, right before the movie hits theaters on August 1st. GotG fans can pre-order this adjustable hat for just $26.99 now via the May issue of Previews magazine from their local comic shop to ensure you get this sweet cap before the film’s opening night!

For the first time ever MAD has created a variant colorway of each design in a wave of 5” MAD*L vinyl figures. How great is that!?! Just take my money now MAD! The MAD*L Phase 4 Variant Wave includes a Monochromatic Modern Hero, a White MAD Ape and a Blue MAEMAEMON. And what really makes this news great is these figures aren’t chase variants mixed in with the standard Phase 4 releases and sold blind box style. Instead, these three variant figures will be sold as a set exclusively at MadToyStore.com!

The MAD*L Phase 4 Variant Set goes on sale at 12pm CDT this Friday, May 30th, at MAD’s online store for $100 per set. Each MAD*L Phase 4 variant design is limited to just 100 figures, and is only available as part of this 3 piece set. So that means there’s just 100 signed and numbered sets available. Don’t sleep on this killer release!

The Blot was beyond excited to learn Medicom’s DC Comics Retro Sofubi toy line will continue with a new wave of two figures! I just recently received DC Comics' Wave 1, which included Batman and The Joker, and they are seriously awesome figures (albeit a bit pricey). DC Comics Retro Sofubi Collection Wave 3 includes Batgirl with a removable mask and plastic cape and Catwoman. The only disappointing part of this release is that they went with the OG Catwoman design, which in my opinion is the character's worst look. She needs a purple costume and full mask!

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Mattel expands its DC Comics Total Heroes lineup with this awesome metallic San Diego Comic-Con 2014 Exclusive Ultra Cyborg action figure! As homage to the Super Powers Cyborg figure from the 1980s, this figure has silver VUM deco, includes two interchangeable heads (his classic look and an updated stylized version), and three sets of hands. This hybrid of man and machine brings with him a tool and gear for just about any job he might encounter, including a Mega Blade, a Concussion Cannon and a Sonic Scrambler (all of which fit onto his arms), and a Jetpack with Airfoil Wings so he can take to the air! And that’s why this is “Ultra” Cyborg! If only he was packaged on a Super Powers inspired blister card.

The Ultra Cyborg DC Comics Total Heroes Action Figure will be available for pre-order at MattyCollector.com on June 24, 2014 to be picked up at San Diego Comic-Con 2014 and sold at the show for $25 each. After SDCC this Total Heroes figure will be available at MattyCollector.com on August 5, 2014.

Batman: Arkham Knight, the third and final video game in Rocksteady’s hit Arkham Trilogy, will be released later this year. To tie in with the game’s release, Mattel is releasing this awesome San Diego Comic-Con 2014 Exclusive Batman: Arkahm Knight Batmobile! Based on the game’s player controlled, Batmobile, this exclusive vehicle features premium, highly-detailed deco and authentic sounds straight from the game! Each SDCC 2014 Exclusive Batman: Arkham Knight Batmobile also includes an articulated DC Comics Multiverse Arkham City Batman action figure with a fabric cape allowing Batman to actually sit in the driver’s seat.

The Batman: Arkahm Knight Batmobile will be available for pre-order at MattyCollector.com on June 24, 2014 to be picked up at San Diego Comic-Con 2014 and sold at the show for $85 each.

Friday, May 23, 2014

Diamond Select Toys and Art Asylum have announced a fantastic new wave of Marvel Minimates based on the hit comic book series All-New X-Men by Brian Michael Bendis and Stuart Immonen. If you’re not familiar with All-New X-Men, it features the five original X-Men who have been brought from the past to the present by Beast to help unify the X-Men. Scheduled to hit comic shops and specialty stores later this year, Marvel Minimates Series 59 includes four 2 packs: Cyclops with Marvel Girl, Beast with Angel, Iceman with a Sentinel, and a rare short-packed Bobby Drake with Sentinel. The Blot really loves these new All-New X-Men costumes, but each member sporting a different color reminds me a little too much of Voltron.

Each All-New X-Men Marvel Minimates Set includes two 2” mini figures featuring 14 points of articulation and a variety of interchangeable parts and accessories. These All-New X-Men Minimates 2 Packs will hit stores sometime in October and retail for around $10 each.

X-Men: Days of Future Past, the movie The Blot’s been waiting for all year, finally hits theaters today! I won’t get to see it until Monday, but from all reports this Marvel movie is going be amazing. I just wish X-Men: DOFP featured more of the cast of First Class. Thankfully they’ve brought in a ton of established X-Men characters for the “future” scenes like Bishop, Blink, Sunspot and Warpath! As if you’re not excited enough already, check out this action packed X-Men: Days of Future Past character movie posters, and go see X-Men: DOFP this Memorial Day holiday weekend.

Diamond Select Toys and Art Asylum continue their popular line of Marvel Movie Minimates with a new wave of X-Men: Days of Future Past specific mini figures! Dropping in October but available now for pre-order just as X-Men: DOFP hits theaters, Marvel Minimates Series 58 includes four 2 packs: Future Professor X with Past Magneto, Future Magneto with Past Mystique, Future Wolverine with Future Storm, and Past Logan with Past Charles Xavier. It’s just too bad the Future Rogue Minimate below never made it to production! I guess it got cut when Anna Paquin got cut from the film. It would have made an excellent variant.

Yesterday, The Blot spotlighted Kidrobot’s newest release, the epic “My Brother Was A Hero” vinyl figure by Jermaine Rogers (seen here)! Today, we know a few more facts about the release. While the standard Brown Edition will be available at designer art toy specialty shops around the globe, the Black Edition will be sold exclusively at Kidrobot.com and the two remaining KR retail locations.

Both versions of Jermaine Rogers’ “My Brother Was A Hero” vinyl figure go on sale next Thursday, May 29th. This 8” figure is based on Jermaine’s 2008 art print of the same name, and we now know will retail for $99.99 each. I can’t lie, The Blot kinda wants both versions as this raccoon with a suicide vest is pretty freaking sweet! The Black Edition with yellow accents looks especially nice.

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Next Thursday, May 29th, Kidrobot will be releasing Jermaine Rogers’ newest vinyl figure “My Brother Was A Hero”! Based on the 2008 art print of the same name, this haunting new 8” vinyl figure of a raccoon with a suicide vest is pretty intense to say the least. There’s a ton of obvious symbolism to this particular piece, but I highly recommend heading over to Jermaine’s blog here where you can about the original print’s backstory. What’s really awesome about this release is Kidrobot is teaming up with Houston’s very own Insomnia to throw Jermaine Rogers and “My Brother Was A Hero” a very special release party!

It’s rare for my home town of Houston, Texas to be a focal point of the designer art toy world, but thanks to native Houstonian Jermaine Rogers we’re getting a pretty sick KR release party all our own and The Blot will be in attendance! Insomnia will be hosting this epic release party where Jermaine will be signing the retailer exclusive brown colorway of “My Brother Was A Hero” and anything else JR related you may want to bring in. Plus, with every purchase of “My Brother Was a Hero” vinyl figure at Insomnia you will receive a FREE limited edition screen print from Jermaine! Can’t wait to see this one!

Insomnia will be having all kinds of free food and drink for anyone who purchases any of the many Jermaine Rogers items available on Thursday, and they’ll also be giving away the beautiful black variant of this rad piece! To find out more about the Kidrobot x Jermaine Rogers “My Brother Was A Hero” Release Party at Insomnia click here, where you can also RSVP for the event. Hope to see you there!

If you missed out on Mark Englert’s awesome glow in the dark Star Wars screen print “I’m Here to Rescue You” when Dark Ink Art released it on Star Wars Day - May the 4th (originally seen here), you’re in luck! Dark Ink Art has decided to split the GID design into two very special variants. The “I'm Here to Rescue You” Tatooine Variant and the “I'm Here to Rescue You” Endor Variant each feature a different aspect of the original glow in the dark print’s Star Wars design.

Both prints will be timed releases, meaning the run size of each Variant won’t be set until the ordering window has closed. As an added bonus, anyone who purchases one of these prints from Dark Ink will have a chance to receive a randomly inserted golden ticket with their order that is redeemable for either brand new original artwork from Mark Englert or a print created from the original artwork.

These awesome Star Wars screen prints by Mark Englert will be available for 77 hours beginning at 10am PDT on Sunday, May 25th, and ending at 3pm PDT on Wednesday, May 28th at the Dark Ink Art online store for $50 each. Both prints measure 12”x36” and will come signed and numbered by Mark.

The one movie The Blot’s been looking forward to the most this summer is hands down Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy! I’m one of the very few people that read the original GotG series the film is based on, and the film should be pretty epic. It’s really amazing Marvel is even making this movie. To commemorate the film’s release, Funko is producing a Guardians of the Galaxy Mystery Minis Blind Box Series! This series includes adorable 2.5” versions of Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket Raccoon, Drax, Ronan the Accuser and Nebula.

The Guardians of the Galaxy Mystery Minis Series also includes a couple of sweet glow in the dark and metallic variants! However, each figure has a 1/12 ratio, which means the chance of getting each character is the exact same. Plus, you can complete a full set of these GotG Mystery Minis with the purchase of one case!

Mondo will be releasing the newest poster in its epic Marvel Comic Book Screen Print Series today! The Blot’s loved this series so far, but why are there so few posters being released? By my count this is only the 3rd Marvel screen print in the past 8 months. Today’s release is the beautiful “Elektra” by Craig Drake. I seriously love this design, which really highlights Drake’s amazing talent and his ‘80s inspired flair.

“Elektra” by Craig Drake is a 24”x36” hand numbered screen print and has a limited edition run size of 275 pieces. It will go on sale at a random time today, Thursday, May 22nd, at the Mondo online store for $50 each.

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

As part of DC Comics’ celebration of Batman’s 75th Anniversary, DC Collectibles is revisiting the greatest super hero cartoon of all time with its new line of Batman: The Animated Series action figures! Based on Bruce Timm’s original character designs from Batman: The Animated Series and the New Batman Adventures, DC Collectibles has taken the show’s original 4.5” tall with limited articulation figures, bumped them up to a 6” scale and given them 24 points of articulation. It’s pretty unbelievable for a toy company to revisit the exact designs of a ‘90s toy line like this, but The Blot loves it!

After originally debuting at Design Festa 39, Rampage Toys’ trippy “Psychadelic Freakout!” Ugly Unicorn vinyl figures have finally been released online! Cast in a beautiful marbled soft Japanese vinyl made from a mash-up of vibrant pink and glow in the dark vinyl, the “Psychadelic Freakout!” Ugly Unicorn features purple hair and some seriously crazy eyes! Rampage Toys has been releasing some amazing marbled vinyl figures lately, and these pink and GID Ugly Unicorns definitely stand out as a perfect example of the finest in Japanese sofubi creative techniques.

The hand painted “Psychadelic Freakout!” Ugly Unicorn retails for just $35 and is currently available for purchase at the Rampage Toys online store. But act fast as there’s only one left! You can also purchase an unpainted version that really highlights the crazy marbling effect for only $25. Both versions of the “Psychadelic Freakout!” Ugly Unicorn comes bagged with header card.

Huck Gee has announced the third custom figure in his undead series World War Gee, and it’s The Blot’s favorite design so far! Based on Huck’s Grandpa McGrizzled design from Kidrobot’s Dunny 2011 Series, this figure is 8 inches of pure unadulterated, post zombie apocalypse, chainsaw wielding, shiny skull buckled, steel toed, boomstick swinging, white bearded badassery! The best detail of this custom is definitely the sawed-off Zombie Dunny hand stuck to McGrizzled’s ear (just like the one its production 3” counterpart had).

The third World War Gee outbreak begins today, Wednesday, May 21st, at 1pm PDT via the Huck Gee online store for $575. The Grandpa McGrizzled Custom Dunny will be available for 24 hours only, with the figure’s limited edition run size set by the number of orders placed in that timeframe. Each figure comes signed and includes all of the accessories show here. Boy do I want one of these so freaking bad. Happy hunting!

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

HBO has scheduled the premiere of True Blood’s seventh and final season on June 22, 2014, and what better way to celebrate the conclusion of this cult classic than with an all new line of Pop! Television vinyl figures by Funko! The Blot’s honestly surprised there have not been more toy tie-ins with this supernatural thriller. Vampires, shape-shifters and werewolves tend to lend themselves to designer art toys these days. The True Blood Pop! Vinyl Figure Series includes Sookie Stackhouse, Bill Compton, Eric Northman, Alcide Herveaux, Lafayette Reynolds and Pam Swynford De Beaufort. I just hope this wave of figures proves popular because there are a ton of True Blood characters I’d love to see get the Pop! treatment. Jason, Sam, Jessica and Tara to name a few!

Here it is, the eighth and final figure in Bif Bang Pow’s epic Star Trek: The Next Generation “Build-a-Bridge” bobble head set! The final piece is of course the captain of the U.S.S. Enterprise, Jean-Luc Picard. This resin figure stands 7” tall, and features an amazing resemblance to Professor X himself, Patrick Stewart. This living legend’s bobble head connects to the other 7 Build-a-Bridge figures to create the bridge of the U.S.S. Enterprise 1701-D from Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Some people think Marvel can do no wrong when it comes to making movies, and that’s because Marvel really can do no wrong! Have you seen the newest trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy!?! It’s a freaking thing of beauty. So too is the film’s final theatrical one sheet movie poster. Everything about this team of misfits turned superheroes just looks bad ass. Isn’t it amazing what Marvel can do with a live action film that doesn’t feature a single mainstream character? Marvel is definitely putting DC Comics and Warner Bros. on notice with this one. Guardians of the Galaxy is not to be missed!

Monday, May 19, 2014

We’re just a week away from Comicpalooza 2014, Texas’ international comic-con, and The Blot can’t wait! I’ve been attending Texas’ best pop culture extravaganza the past four years, and every year this show out does itself. It’s literally gotten bigger each year…bigger named guests, bigger attendance and bigger overall convention space! Comicpalooza is even expanding this year to four whole days! It’s really impressive what this small little comic convention has become, and 2014 is shaping up to be a banner year for Comicpalooza. Plus, The Blot will be there all weekend covering the event!

What really sets this show apart from other conventions is its amazing line up of actors, artists and sports entertainers. This year Comicpalooza is hosting some of my all time favorite comic book artists, including Jim Steranko, Mike Mignola, Kevin Maguire, Aaron Lopresti and Greg Capullo! I love the mix of old school icons like Steranko, Neal Adams and Disney’s Don Rosa, mixed in with up and coming all-stars like David Petersen, Shane Davis, Nick Pitarra and Paul Maybury. Mix in indie legend James O’Barr and there’s literally something for everyone at this show!

It’s not a true comic-con these days without a long list of Hollywood stars from comic book adaptations, sci-fi shows and cult classic movies. As I highlighted in The Blot’s Top 5 Celebrity Guests at Comicpalooza 2014 post, this year Comicpalooza is bringing in the cast of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Clark Gregg, Ming-Na Wen, Brett Dalton, Elizabeth Henstridge and J. August Richards), four Doctors from Doctor Who (Fifth Doctor Peter Davison, Sixth Doctor Colin Baker, Seventh Doctor Sylvester McCoy and Eight Doctor Paul McGann), Captain Jack Harkness himself John Barrowman, and Billy Dee Williams a.k.a. Star Wars’ Lando Clarissian!

Comicpalooza is also bringing in the cast of AMC’s Comic Book Men, a number of actors from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Power Rangers, as well as Cary Elwes, Star Trek's Nichelle Nichols, Lou Ferrigno, Rose McGowan, BSG's Tricia Helfer and so many more! There are even professional wrestling stars like Bret “Hitman” Hart and Kevin Nash! How can you not want to check out this event!?!

Comicpalooza 2014 takes place in Houston, Texas on Memorial Day weekend (May 23-26). Tickets (both weekend passes and individual day passes) are still available, so head over to the Comicpalooza online store and pick yours up today! The Blot hopes to see you there…

Big Chief Studios has unveiled the second figure in its new line of Doctor Who Dynamix vinyl figures and it’s the bowtie wearing, fez sporting Eleventh Doctor (portrayed by Matt Smith)! The Blot just hopes this figure doesn’t take as long to be produced as the Tenth Doctor Dynamix vinyl figure. Two and a half years later the Tenth Doctor is finally in my possession, but it was totally worth the wait! The sculpting on this Doctor Who figure is seriously impeccable and the paint job is perfect. While Big Chief Studios may take forever to get to the final product, their figures are top notch!

The 11th Doctor Dynamix ultra stylised vinyl figurine is being released in three unique editions, with each colorway featuring different sculpt or accessory. The “Series 5” Eleventh Doctor Dynamix vinyl figure is limited to 3,000 pieces, and includes his trusty Sonic Screwdriver and two interchangeable heads, one with his trademark quiff and the other wearing his fez (yes they are cool). The “Series 7” Edition is limited to 3,000 pieces as well, and comes suited up for adventure in his stylish purple jacket, waistcoat and bow tie (it also includes the Sonic Screwdriver and two heads).

Last but not least is the Big Chief Studios Exclusive “Series 5” Eleventh Doctor Variant. It is limited to just 500 pieces and features an alternate deco to the Doctor’s shirt, bow tie and bracers, and includes an interchangeable right hand holding his mop. I believe this version also includes the Sonic Screwdriver right hand and the two heads.